Hand hygiene important as norovirus cases begin to rise
First published on 22 November 2024
- Conditions and diseases
Latest figures, published by Public Health Scotland (PHS) yesterday, show laboratory reports of norovirus in Scotland have increased in recent weeks. Norovirus cases are known to peak in winter and so can be expected to rise over the season.
Public Health Scotland received 1629 laboratory reports for norovirus in Scotland up to the end of week 45 (week ending 17 November 2024), compared to 1,563 the previous week.
Norovirus is a common illness that can cause diarrhoea and vomiting. It can be very unpleasant, but most people make a full recovery within a couple of days.
You can get norovirus more than once because the virus is always changing. This winter we have seen a new strain of norovirus become dominant in Scotland, as well as elsewhere in the UK. This may mean that we see a higher peak than usual. As a result, it’s important to be aware of how to prevent getting norovirus.
The most effective way of helping to protect yourself from winter bugs, including norovirus, is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Handwashing with soap and water is best, as alcohol hand gels are not effective against norovirus. By keeping hands clean and encouraging children to practise good hand hygiene as well, we can significantly reduce the transmission of infections.
It is also important to minimise contact with others if you have norovirus. If you or your child have diarrhoea and vomiting, stay away from work, school or nursery until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped, and don’t prepare food for others in that time either.
Watch this helpful video to find out how to wash your hands properly.